New York Giants Roster Review

After a loss to the Jets, the New York Giants’ preseason is finally over. Roster cuts are made, and here we are looking at the team’s 53 man roster. We’ll always see some surprises with those who get released. For the Giants, not many of these cuts did. Whoever made this team deserved to. That is clear. Welcome to the New York Giants Roster Review.

Let’s get into it.

Quarterback

1. Daniel Jones
2. Tyrod Taylor

No surprises here. It was hard to imagine the Giants carrying three quarterbacks on their roster. After all, other positions needed addressing. Devito will 100% return on the practice squad. But, Jones looks to show his doubters why he was paid the big bucks. The Giants’ offense belongs to him.

Running Back

1. Saquon Barkley
2. Matt Breida
3. Eric Gray
4. Gary Brightwell

Again, no major surprise here. Barkley will look to show why he deserves a long-term contract, playing on a one-year deal this season. Breida and his speed will spell Barkley at times, and it will be interesting to see how much Gray plays. Brightwell is mostly on the team for special teams work.

Wide Receiver

1. Darius Slayton
2. Isaiah Hodgins
3. Parris Campbell
4. Jalin Hyatt
5. Sterling Shepard
6. Wan’Dale Robinson

Well, the Giants decided to go with six men in their receiving room. Gone are Jamison Crowder and Cole Beasley, with the latter coming back on the practice squad. How much will Shepard play? Will any of these guys lead the team in targets and/or receptions? Hodgins looks to replicate his success since joining the team mid-season. How much of a role Wan’Dale Robinson plays in this offense is something to watch.

Tight End

1. Darren Waller
2. Daniel Bellinger
3. Lawrence Cager

Arguably the best acquisition of the off-season, Waller has built a strong chemistry with Daniel Jones in just a short time. He will be the favorite to lead this team in targets. In 12 personnel, the attention that Waller will bring from defenses will open up space for Bellinger to be an available target. I thought Tommy Sweeney would somehow make the roster over Cager. But, I’m not complaining. It’s the best tight end room the Giants have had in a while.

Offensive Line

1. Andrew Thomas (LT), Ben Bredeson (LG), John Michael Schmitz (C), Mark Glowinski (RG), Evan Neal (RT)
2. Matt Peart (T), Josh Ezeudu (G), Shane Lemieux (C), Marcus McKethan (G)

All along, we knew this would be the starting group. Thomas is one of the best left tackles in the game. Neal should improve after a subpar year one. Schmitz is the franchise center for the next decade. Bredeson and Glowinski are serviceable guards. It’s the depth that is worrying. This preseason showed that the backup offensive linemen weren’t capable of being trusted. If one of the starting linemen go down, it could spell major trouble for Big Blue.

Defensive Linemen

1. Leonard Williams (DE), Dexter Lawrence (DT), A’Shawn Robinson (DE)
2. Raheem Nunez-Roches (DE), DJ Davidson (DT), Jordon Riley (DE)

This group got so much better this offseason. It isn’t like it was an issue last season. Lawrence was a Pro Bowler, amassing 68 total tackles and 7.5 sacks. Williams missed five games last season, but forms a solid duo with Lawrence. Robinson comes from the Rams via free agency, improving the run defense with his presence.

Nunez-Roches is known for stuffing anyone who tries to run through him. His days with the Buccaneers support that. The free agent pickup had two sacks last year. A seventh-round pick, Riley provides depth and impresses the coaching staff this preseason.

Linebackers

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Azeez Ojulari
2. Jihad Ward, Carter Coughlin, Cam Brown, Isaiah Simmons, Boogie Basham

The arrival of Okereke (151 total tackles in 2022) improved the linebacking corps immediately. Thibodeaux (49 TOT, four sacks) and Ojulari (5.5 sacks in seven games) form a solid pass rush duo on the outside. If the latter can just stay healthy, he will be a force to be reckoned with. As for the former, he looks to break out this year.

Ward (43 tackles) was a fan favorite, and will provide solid depth when needed. He did have three sacks last season. Not a lot, but for a backup it’s a good amount. McFadden could get his spot taken by the recently acquired Simmons. The Swiss Army knife played at many spots in Arizona. But, the Giants have him at linebacker and will allow him to freely rush the quarterback. As for Basham, the former second round pick comes from Buffalo to build on that depth.

Cornerbacks

1. Deonte Banks, Tre Hawkins III, Adoree’ Jackson
2. Cor’Dale Flott, Darnay Holmes

The rookies Banks and Hawkins are slated to start opposite of each other against Dallas in week one. Expected of the first-rounder, surprising for the sixth-rounder from Old Dominion. But, that’s what happens when you impress in training camp and preseason. Jackson will be the boundary corner in base defense, but will mostly work in the slot. Holmes took a pay cut to stay with the team. An injury to one of the starters could be trouble.

Safeties

1. Xavier McKinney, Jason Pinnock
2. Dane Belton, Bobby McCain, Nick McCloud, Gervarrious Owens

The Alabama safety McKinney looks to bounce back after missing eight games last year. Returning to his 2021 form (93 tackles, five interceptions) should be expected from him. Pinnock (41 tackles in 2022) impressed with his play last year, and has performed well in camp and preseason to start alongside McKinney.

Belton (31 tackles) will look to improve from his rookie season, but not a lot of pressure is on him. McCloud was reported to be working with the cornerbacks, so there’s some versatility there.

Special Teams

K Graham Gano, P Jamie Gillian, LS Casey Kreiter

Solid. Dependable. Love it.

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Featured image: Mike Stobe/Getty Images